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Gateshead School Catering service crowned top performer for second year running

13/12/2017 - 11:02

Gateshead Council’s School Catering Service has been crowned the UK’s top performing school meals provider by the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) for the second year in a row.

The council, which employs a team of a 350 staff to prepare and serve more than 11,000 hot meals every day, was compared with 50 other UK school meals providers.

Gateshead was judged to be delivering the best quality, cost and productivity in the UK in winning the APSE Performance Network Award.

Michael Lamb, facilities & catering manager for Gateshead Council, said: “To win one of these prestigious awards, you have to prove you are the best at almost everything. To win one once is achievement enough, but to be declared the winner twice is fantastic.

“We have a growing reputation within the UK catering industry. Of course, our customers already tell us on a daily basis how much they appreciate both our food and the service we provide, but winning this award just confirms our own belief in the quality of service we offer.

“What is especially pleasing is that this award isn’t judged on the basis of a glossy brochure or a slick video presentation, but on our day-to-day performance. It shows that we are clearly doing something right.”

Gateshead Council provides meals for 80 Primary and Secondary schools in the northeastern town and surrounding area.

APSE chief executive and PSMI Top 20 member, Paul O’Brien, added: “The winners and finalists of these awards are stunning examples of what local government is capable of achieving.

“That is not to say austerity is not hitting councils hard because it's is, however these winners and finalists are proof that in spite of the challenges local councils are using innovation and efficiency to continue to deliver superb local services."